U.S. patent number 9,472,902 [Application Number 14/799,036] was granted by the patent office on 2016-10-18 for electrical receptacle connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC.. The grantee listed for this patent is ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC.. Invention is credited to Pin-Yuan Hou, Ya-Fen Kao, Chung-Fu Liao, Wen-Hsien Tsai, Yu-Lun Tsai.
United States Patent |
9,472,902 |
Kao , et al. |
October 18, 2016 |
Electrical receptacle connector
Abstract
An electrical receptacle connector includes a metallic shell, an
insulated housing, a plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals,
and a plurality of lower-row receptacle terminals. The insulated
housing is received in the metallic shell. The upper-row receptacle
terminals are held in the insulated housing and include a plurality
of tail portions protruded from a bottom of the insulation body to
be arranged into a row. The lower-row receptacle terminals are held
in the insulated housing and include a plurality of tail portions
protruded from the bottom of the insulated housing to be arranged
into a first row and a second row. The tail portions of the
lower-row receptacle terminals are parallel to the tail portions of
the upper-row receptacle terminals.
Inventors: |
Kao; Ya-Fen (New Taipei,
TW), Tsai; Yu-Lun (New Taipei, TW), Hou;
Pin-Yuan (New Taipei, TW), Liao; Chung-Fu (New
Taipei, TW), Tsai; Wen-Hsien (New Taipei,
TW) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC. |
New Taipei |
N/A |
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
ADVANCED-CONNECTEK INC. (New
Taipei, TW)
|
Family
ID: |
54121834 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/799,036 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160013592 A1 |
Jan 14, 2016 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 14, 2014 [TW] |
|
|
103124185 A |
Nov 28, 2014 [TW] |
|
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103141532 A |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/6581 (20130101); H01R 13/6471 (20130101); H01R
12/724 (20130101); H01R 24/60 (20130101); H01R
13/6594 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/648 (20060101); H01R 13/6581 (20110101); H01R
13/6471 (20110101); H01R 24/60 (20110101); H01R
13/6594 (20110101); H01R 12/72 (20110101) |
Field of
Search: |
;439/607.4,939,108 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Dinh; Phuong
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe,
P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electrical receptacle connector, comprising: a metallic shell
comprising a top cover plate, a rear cover plate, and defining a
receptacle cavity, wherein the rear cover plate is extended from a
back side of the top cover plate to cover a back side of the
receptacle cavity and a plurality of pins are extended from two
sides of a bottom of the rear cover plate; an insulated housing
received in the receptacle cavity and comprising a base portion and
a tongue portion extended from one of two sides of the base
portion, wherein the tongue portion has an upper surface and a
lower surface; a plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals
comprising a plurality of signal terminals, at least one power
terminal, and at least one ground terminal, wherein each of the
upper-row receptacle terminals is held in the base portion and
disposed at the upper surface, each of the upper-row receptacle
terminals comprises a tail portion protruded from a bottom of the
base portion to be arranged into a row, and the tail portions of
the upper-row receptacle terminals are near to the pins; and a
plurality of lower-row receptacle terminals comprising a plurality
of signal terminals, at least one power terminal, and at least one
ground terminal, wherein each of the lower-row receptacle terminals
is held in the base portion and disposed at the lower surface, each
of the lower-row receptacle terminals comprises a tail portion
protruded from the bottom of the base portion to be arranged into a
first row and a second row, wherein the tail portions of the
lower-row receptacle terminals are parallel to the tail portions of
the upper-row receptacle terminals.
2. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 1,
wherein the first row of the tail portions of the lower-row
receptacle terminals are disposed between the row of the tail
portions of the upper-row receptacle terminals and the second row
of the tail portions of the lower-row receptacle terminals.
3. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 1,
wherein the second row of the tail portions of the lower-row
receptacle terminals are disposed between the row of the tail
portions of the upper-row receptacle terminals and the first row of
the tail portions of the lower-row receptacle terminals.
4. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 2,
wherein the first row of the tail portions of the lower-row
receptacle terminals comprises a first pin, a second pin, a first
set of pins and, a plurality of first reserved regions, the first
set of pins are disposed between the first pin and the second pin,
the first reserved regions are respectively between the first set
of pins and the first pin and between the first set of pins and the
second pin.
5. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 3,
wherein the first row of the tail portions of the lower-row
receptacle terminals comprises a first pin, a second pin, a first
set of pins, and a plurality of first reserved regions, wherein the
first set of pins are disposed between the first pin and the second
pin and the first reserved regions are respectively between the
first set of pins and the first pin and between the first set of
pins and the second pin.
6. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 4,
wherein a width of each of the first reserved regions is greater
than an interval between the tail portions of adjacent two
lower-row receptacle terminals.
7. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 5,
wherein a width of each of the first reserved regions is greater
than an interval between the tail portions of adjacent two
lower-row receptacle terminals.
8. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 2,
wherein the second row of the tail portions of the lower-row
receptacle terminals comprises a second set of pins, a third set of
pins, and a second reserved region, wherein the second reserved
region is between the second set of pins and the third set of
pins.
9. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 3,
wherein the second row of the tail portions of the lower-row
receptacle terminals comprises a second set of pins, a third set of
pins, and a second reserved region, wherein the second reserved
region is between the second set of pins and the third set of
pins.
10. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 8,
wherein a width of the second reserved region is greater than an
interval between the tail portions of adjacent two lower-row
receptacle terminals.
11. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 9,
wherein a width of the second reserved region is greater than an
interval between the tail portions of adjacent two lower-row
receptacle terminals.
12. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 1,
wherein the rear cover plate comprises a bottom plane, wherein the
pins are extended from two sides of the bottom plane,
respectively.
13. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 1,
wherein the insulated housing further comprises a grounding sheet
at the base portion and the tongue portion, the grounding sheet
comprises a main body and a plurality of contacts, the main body is
between the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row
receptacle terminals, the contacts are extended from the main body
and protruded from the bottom of the base portion and arranged
between the tail portions of the lower-row receptacle
terminals.
14. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 1,
wherein the lower-row receptacle terminals comprise a plurality
ground terminals, a first pair of differential signal terminals, a
second pair of differential signal terminals, a third pair of
differential signal terminals, and a plurality of power terminals,
the first pair of differential signal terminals, wherein the second
pair of differential signal terminals, and the third pair of
differential signal terminals are disposed between the ground
terminals, and the power terminals are disposed between the first
pair of differential signal terminals, the second pair of
differential signal terminals, and the third pair of differential
signal terminals.
15. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 1,
wherein each of the upper-row receptacle terminals comprises: a
body portion held in the insulated housing; and a flat contact
portion, extended from one of two ends of the body portion and
disposed at the upper surface; wherein, each of the tail portions
is extended from the other end of the corresponding body portion
and exposed out of the insulated housing.
16. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 1,
wherein each of the lower-row receptacle terminals comprises: a
body portion held in the insulated housing; and a flat contact
portion, extended from one of two ends of the body portion and
disposed at the lower surface; wherein, each of the tail portions
is extended from the other end of the corresponding body portion
and exposed out of the insulated housing.
17. The electrical receptacle connector according to claim 1,
wherein the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row
receptacle terminals have 180 degree symmetrical design with
respect to a central point of the receptacle cavity as the
symmetrical center.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No. 103124185 and 103141532,
filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on 2014 Jul. 14 and 2014 Nov. 28, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The instant disclosure relates to an electrical connector, and more
particular to an electrical receptacle connector.
BACKGROUND
Generally, Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial bus standard to
the PC architecture with a focus on computer interface, consumer
and productivity applications. The existing Universal Serial Bus
(USB) interconnects have the attributes of plug-and-play and ease
of use, from the end user's point of view. Now, as technology
innovation marches forward, new kinds of devices, media formats and
large inexpensive storage products are converging. They require
significantly more bus bandwidth to maintain the interactive
experience that users have come to expect. In addition, user
applications demand a higher performance between the PC and
sophisticated peripherals. The transmission rate of USB 2.0 is
insufficient. Consequently, faster serial bus interfaces, such as
USB 3.0, have been developed to address the need by adding a higher
transmission rate to match usage patterns and devices.
Existing USB electrical receptacle connectors meet the requirements
of transmitting USB 3.0 signals. During transmission, unwanted
interference must be effectively eliminated by conduction and
grounding. An existing USB 3.0 compatible electrical receptacle
connector includes an insulated housing, a plurality of terminals,
and a metallic shell. The terminals are disposed on the insulated
housing, and the insulated housing is received in the metallic
shell. The conduction and grounding of a circuit in the existing
electrical receptacle connector are achieved through connection
with the terminals and the grounding sheet.
When the existing USB 3.0 connector is adapted to transmit USB 2.0
signals, high-speed terminals (i.e., terminals for transmitting USB
3.0 signals) of the connector are not required. However, due to the
rigid architecture of the connector, it is hard to make connectors
for transmitting USB 2.0 signals by simply removing the high-speed
terminals from the USB 3.0 connectors. Therefore, in order to make
connectors for transmitting USB 2.0 signals, additional
manufacturing cost and manufacturing time for the USB 2.0
connectors cannot be reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore necessary to establish and develop a new
architecture of USB connectors to address the previously mentioned
needs of platforms and devices, while retaining all of the
functional benefits of USB that form the basis for this most
popular of computing device interconnects.
In view of this, the instant disclosure provides an electrical
receptacle connector. An embodiment of the electrical receptacle
connector comprises a metallic shell, an insulated housing, a
plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals and a plurality of
lower-row receptacle terminals. The metallic shell comprises a top
cover plate, a rear cover plate, and defines a receptacle cavity.
The rear cover plate is extended from a back side of the top cover
plate and extended backward to cover a back side of the receptacle
cavity. A plurality of pins is extended from two sides of a bottom
of the rear cover plate. The insulated housing is received in the
receptacle cavity and comprises a base portion and a tongue
portion. The tongue portion is extended from one of two sides of
the base portion in the front-to-rear direction and has an upper
surface and a lower surface. The upper-row receptacle terminals
comprise a plurality of signal terminals, at least one power
terminal, and at least one ground terminal. Each of the upper-row
receptacle terminals is held in the base portion and the tongue
portion and disposed at the upper surface. Each of the upper-row
receptacle terminals comprises a tail portion protruded from a
bottom of the base portion to be arranged into a row. The tail
portions of the upper-row receptacle terminals are near to the
pins. The lower-row receptacle terminals comprise a plurality of
signal terminals, at least one power terminal, and at least one
ground terminal. Each of the lower-row receptacle terminals is held
in the base portion and the tongue portion and disposed at the
lower surface. Each of the lower-row receptacle terminals comprises
a tail portion protruded from the bottom of the base portion to be
arranged into a first row and a second row. The tail portions of
the lower-row receptacle terminals are parallel to the tail
portions of the upper-row receptacle terminals.
In conclusion, when the contacts between the tail portions of the
lower-row receptacle terminals (namely, the contacts of the
grounding sheet), are omitted, the electrical receptacle connector
can transmit USB 2.0 signals without changing or rearranging the
configuration of the lower-row receptacle terminals. Therefore,
when the electrical receptacle connector is provided for
transmitting USB 2.0 signals, manufacturing steps for the grounding
sheet and the contacts of the grounding sheet can be omitted so as
to simplify the manufacturing process of the electrical receptacle
connector and reduce the manufacturing cost of the electrical
receptacle connector. Conversely, when the electrical receptacle
connector is provided for transmitting USB 3.0 signals, the
grounding sheet and the contacts of the grounding sheet are
assembled to the electrical receptacle connector, so that effective
noise grounding and conduction can be accomplished by the contacts
of the grounding sheet connected to the circuit board. Furthermore,
when the rear cover plate comprises the through-hole legs to be
soldered with the circuit board, the grounding resistance and the
electromagnetic interference can be reduced.
Furthermore, pin-assignments of the upper-row receptacle terminals
and the lower-row receptacle terminals are 180 degree symmetrical,
dual or double orientation design which enable an electrical plug
connector to be inserted into the electrical receptacle connector
in either of two intuitive orientations, i.e., in either upside-up
or upside-down directions. In other words, the pin-assignments of
the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row receptacle
terminals have 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation
design with respect to a central point of the receptacle cavity as
the symmetrical center. Consequently, an electrical plug connector
is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a first
orientation where the upper surface of the tongue portion is facing
up, for transmitting first signals. Conversely, the electrical plug
connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with
a second orientation where the upper surface of the tongue portion
is facing down, for transmitting second signals. Furthermore, the
specification for transmitting the first signals is conformed to
the specification for transmitting the second signals.
Detailed description of the characteristics and the advantages of
the instant disclosure is shown in the following embodiments, the
technical content and the implementation of the instant disclosure
should be readily apparent to any person skilled in the art from
the detailed description, and the purposes and the advantages of
the instant disclosure should be readily understood by any person
skilled in the art with reference to content, claims and drawings
in the instant disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The instant disclosure will become more fully understood from the
detailed description given herein below for illustration only, and
thus not limitative of the instant disclosure, wherein:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an electrical
receptacle connector assembled with a circuit board according to a
first embodiment of the instant disclosure;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical receptacle
connector of the first embodiment, where a metallic shell of the
electrical receptacle connector is arranged upside down;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view (1) of the electrical receptacle
connector of the first embodiment, where the metallic shell is not
shown;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view (2) of the electrical receptacle
connector according to the first embodiment, where the metallic
shell is not shown;
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of receptacle terminals
of the electrical receptacle connector of the first embodiment;
FIG. 5A is a front sectional view of the electrical receptacle
connector of the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the electrical receptacle
connector of the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic view showing the configuration of
the receptacle terminals and a grounding sheet of the electrical
receptacle connector of the first embodiment;
FIG. 8A is a bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector
assembled with the circuit board, of the first embodiment, for one
implementation aspect;
FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector
assembled with the circuit board, of the first embodiment, for
another implementation aspect;
FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of an electrical receptacle
connector according to a second embodiment of the instant
disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a perspective schematic view showing the configuration
of the receptacle terminals of the electrical receptacle connector
of the second embodiment;
FIG. 11A is a bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector
assembled with the circuit board, of the second embodiment, for one
implementation aspect; and
FIG. 11B is a bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector
assembled with the circuit board, of the second embodiment, for
another implementation aspect.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5, illustrating a first embodiment
of an electrical receptacle connector 100. FIG. 1 is an exploded
perspective view showing an electrical receptacle connector 100
assembled with a circuit board 6 according to a first embodiment of
the instant disclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of
the electrical receptacle connector 100 of the first embodiment,
where a metallic shell 1 of the electrical receptacle connector 100
is arranged upside down. FIG. 3 is a perspective view (1) of the
electrical receptacle connector 100 of the first embodiment, where
the metallic shell 1 is not shown. FIG. 4 is a perspective view (2)
of the electrical receptacle connector 100 of the first embodiment,
where the metallic shell 1 is not shown. FIG. 5 is a schematic
configuration diagram of receptacle terminals 3, 4 (that is,
upper-row receptacle terminals 3 and lower-row receptacle terminals
4) of the electrical receptacle connector 100 of the first
embodiment. The electrical receptacle connector 100 described
herein provides a USB Type-C connection interface. The electrical
receptacle connector 100 comprises a metallic shell 1, an insulated
housing 2, a plurality of upper-row receptacle terminals 3, and a
plurality of lower-row receptacle terminals 4. The electrical
receptacle connector 100 is combinable on a circuit board 6.
FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the electrical receptacle
connector 100 of the first embodiment. Please refer to FIG. 2 and
FIG. 6, in which the metallic shell 1 is a hollowed shell and
defines a receptacle cavity 10 therein. The insulated housing 2 is
received in the metallic shell 1. In this embodiment, the metallic
shell 1 comprises a top cover plate 11, a rear cover plate 12, and
a plurality of pins 121. The top cover plate 11 is at a top plane
of the insulated housing 2, and the rear cover plate 12 is extended
from a back side of the top cover plate 11 and extended downward to
the back of the insulated housing 2, as shown in FIG. 1. That is,
the rear cover plate 12 covers a back side of the receptacle cavity
10. Additionally, the rear cover plate 12 comprises a bottom plane
12a, and the pins 121 are through-hole legs and extended downward
from the bottom plane 12a. That is, the pins are extended from the
metallic shell to form vertical legs, named through-hole legs which
can be soldered on the surface of a circuit board by through-hole
technology. Alternatively, in some implementation aspects, the pins
121 are SMT (surface mount technology) legs, i.e., the pins 121 are
bent horizontally to form flat legs, named SMT legs which can be
soldered or mounted on the surface of a circuit board by using
surface mount technology.
Please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in which the insulated
housing 2 comprises a base portion 21 and a tongue portion 22.
Injection molding techniques are applied to form the base portion
21 and the tongue portion 22. Furthermore, the insulated housing 2
can be formed by a unitary member or by a multi-piece member.
Additionally, the tongue portion 22 is extended from one of two
sides of the base portion 21 in the front-to-rear direction, and
the tongue portion 22 has an upper surface 221 and a lower surface
222, and the upper surface 221 is opposite to the lower surface
222. Here, the base portion 21 is assumed to be at the front part
of the insulated housing 2, and the tongue portion 22 is assumed to
be at the rear part of the insulated housing 2.
Please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in which the upper-row
receptacle terminals 3 are held at the base portion 21 and the
tongue portion 22. Each of the upper-row receptacle terminals 3
comprises a flat contact portion 351, a body portion 353, and a
tail portion 352. The body portions 353 are held in the insulated
housing 2. Each of the flat contact portions 351 is extended from
one of two ends of the corresponding body portion 353 and disposed
at the upper surface 221 of the tongue portion 22, and each of the
tail portions 352 is extended from the other end of the
corresponding body portion 353 to be exposed out of the base
portion 21. Furthermore, the tail portions 352 are extended out of
the base portion 21. Here, the tail portions 352 are extended out
of a bottom of the base portion 21. In addition, the tail portions
352 are arranged in a row and near to the pins 121. In this
embodiment, the tail portions 352 are bent horizontally and
provided as SMT legs. In some implementation aspects, the tail
portions 352 are through-hole legs.
FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic view showing the configuration of
the receptacle terminals 3, 4 and the grounding sheet 51 of the
electrical receptacle connector 100 of the first embodiment. Please
refer to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 7, in which the lower-row receptacle
terminals 4 are held at the base portion 21 and the tongue plate
22. Each of the lower-row receptacle terminals 4 comprises a flat
contact portion 441, a body portion 443, and a tail portion 442.
The body portions 443 are held in the insulated housing 2. Each of
the flat contact portions 441 is extended from one of two ends of
the corresponding body portion 443 and disposed at the lower
surface 222 of the tongue portion 22, and each of the tail portions
442 is extended from the other end of the corresponding body
portion 443 to be exposed out of the base portion 21. Furthermore,
the tail portions 442 are extended out of the base portion 21.
Here, the tail portions 442 are extended out of the bottom of the
base portion 21. In addition, the tail portions 442 are arranged in
a first row 46 and a second row 47. The tail portions 442 are
parallel to the tail portions 352 (i.e., the row of the tail
portions 352 is parallel to the first row and the second row of the
tail portions 442). The tail portions 442 are extended downward to
form through-hole legs.
In this embodiment, the tail portions 352, 442 are extended out of
the base portion 21 and arranged separately. For example, the tail
portions 352, 442 may form three rows, and the tail portions 442 of
the lower-row receptacle terminals 4 are aligned parallel to the
tail portions 352 of the upper-row receptacle terminals 3. Here,
the first row 46 of the tail portions 442 are disposed between the
row of the tail portions 352 and the second row 47 of the tail
portions 442, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Furthermore,
the overall width of first row 46 of the tail portions 442 is
greater than the overall width of the second row 47 of the tail
portions 442.
The upper-row receptacle terminals 3 comprises a plurality of
signal terminals 31, at least one power terminal 32, and at least
one ground terminal 33. Please refer to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 5A, in
which the upper-row receptacle terminals 3 comprises a plurality of
signal terminals 31, a plurality of power terminals 32, and a
plurality of ground terminals 33. The signal terminals 31 are at
the upper surface 221 and transmitting first signals (that is, USB
3.0 signals). As shown in FIG. 5, the upper-row receptacle
terminals 3 comprise, from left to right, a ground terminal 33
(Gnd), a first pair of differential signal terminals (TX1+-), a
second pair of differential signal terminals (D+-), and a third
pair of differential signal terminals (RX2+-), of the signal
terminals 31, power terminals 32 (Power/VBUS), between the three
pairs of differential signal terminals, a retain terminal (RFU)
(the retain terminal and a configuration channel 1 (CC1) are
respectively arranged between the power terminals 32 and the second
pair of differential signal terminals), and another ground terminal
33 (Gnd). However, the pin assignments are not thus limited, and
the example described above is only for illustrative purposes. In
this embodiment, twelve upper-row receptacle terminals 3 are
provided to meet the transmission of USB 3.0 signals, but
embodiments are not limited thereto. In some implementation
aspects, the far right ground terminal 33 (or the far left ground
terminal 33) and the retain terminal are omitted. Furthermore, the
far right ground terminal 33 can be replaced by a power terminal 32
and provided for power transmission.
The lower-row receptacle terminals 4 comprises a plurality of
signal terminals 41, at least one power terminal 42, and at least
one ground terminal 43. Please refer to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 5A, in
which the lower-row receptacle terminals 4 comprises a plurality of
signal terminals 41, a plurality of power terminals 42, and a
plurality of ground terminals 43. The signal terminals 41 are at
the lower surface 222 and transmitting second signals (that is, USB
3.0 signals). As shown in FIG. 5, the lower-row receptacle
terminals 4 comprise, from right to left, a ground terminal 43
(Gnd), a first pair of differential signal terminals (TX2+-), a
second pair of differential signal terminals (D+-), and a third
pair of differential signal terminals (RX1+-), of the signal
terminals 41, power terminals 42 (Power/VBUS), between the three
pairs of differential signal terminals, a retain terminal (RFU)
(the retain terminal and a configuration channel 2 (CC2) are a
respectively arranged between the power terminals 42 and the second
pair of differential signal terminals), and another ground terminal
43. However, the pin assignments are not thus limited, and the
example described above is only for illustrative purposes. In this
embodiment, twelve lower-row receptacle terminals 4 are provided to
meet the transmission of USB 3.0 signals, but embodiments are not
limited thereto. In some implementation aspects, the far right
ground terminal 43 (or the far left ground terminal 43) and the
retain terminal are omitted. Furthermore, the far right ground
terminal 43 can be replaced by a power terminal 42 and provided for
power transmission.
Please refer to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, in which embodiment the
upper-row receptacle terminals 3 and the lower-row receptacle
terminals 4 meet the transmission of USB 3.0 signals, but
embodiments are not limited thereto. In some implementation
aspects, for the upper-row receptacle terminals 3 in accordance
with transmission of USB 2.0 signals, the first and third pairs of
differential signal terminals are omitted, and the second pair of
differential signal terminals and the power terminals 32 are
retained for transmitting USB 2.0 signals. While, for the lower-row
receptacle terminals 4 in accordance with transmission of USB 2.0
signals, the first and third pairs of differential signal terminals
are omitted, and the second pair of differential signal terminals
and the power terminals 42 are retained for transmitting USB 2.0
signals.
Please refer to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 5A, in which embodiment the
upper-row receptacle terminals 3 and the lower-row receptacle
terminals 4 are respectively at the upper surface 221 and the lower
surface 222 of the tongue portion 22. Furthermore, the upper-row
receptacle terminals 3 and the lower-row receptacle terminals 4 are
point-symmetrical with a central point of the receptacle cavity 10
as the symmetrical center. In other words, pin-assignments of the
upper-row receptacle terminals 3 and the lower-row receptacle
terminals 4 have 180 degree symmetrical design with respect to the
central point of the receptacle cavity 10 as the symmetrical
center. The dual or double orientation design enables an electrical
plug connector to be inserted into the electrical receptacle
connector 100 in either of two intuitive orientations, i.e., in
either upside-up or upside-down directions. Here, point-symmetry
means, after the upper-row receptacle terminals 3 (or the lower-row
receptacle terminals 4) are rotated by 180 degrees with the
symmetrical center as the rotating center, the upper-row receptacle
terminals 3 and the lower-row receptacle terminals 4 are
overlapped. That is, the rotated upper-row receptacle terminals 3
are arranged at the position of the original lower-row receptacle
terminals 4, and the rotated lower-row receptacle terminals 4 are
arranged at the position of the original upper-row receptacle
terminals 3. In other words, the upper-row receptacle terminals 3
and the lower-row receptacle terminals 4 are arranged upside down,
and the pin assignments of the upper-row receptacle terminals 3 are
left-right reversal with respect to the pin assignments of the
lower-row receptacle terminals 4. Accordingly, an electrical plug
connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector 100
with a first orientation where the upper surface 221 of the tongue
portion 22 is facing upward, for transmitting first signals.
Conversely, the electrical plug connector is inserted into the
electrical receptacle connector 100 with a second orientation where
the upper surface 221 of the tongue portion 22 is facing downward,
for transmitting second signals. The specification for transmitting
the first signals conforms to that for transmitting the second
signals. Based on this, the inserting orientation of the electrical
plug connector is not limited by the electrical receptacle
connector 100
Please refer to FIG. 5A and FIG. 7, in which embodiment positions
of the upper-row receptacle terminals 3 correspond to positions of
the lower-row receptacle terminals 4.
Please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in which embodiment the
electrical receptacle connector 100 further comprises a grounding
sheet 51 at the insulated housing 21. The grounding sheet 51
comprises a main body 511 and a plurality of contacts 512. The main
body 511 is between the upper-row receptacle terminals 3 and the
lower-row receptacle terminals 4. That is, the main body 511 is
formed between the base portion 211 and the tongue portion 212 to
be disposed between the flat contact portions 351, 441. The
contacts 512 are extended from two sides of the rear part of the
main body 11. Furthermore, the contacts 512 are extended from the
bottom of the base portion 21 and between the tail portions 442.
Here, each of the contacts 512 is respectively disposed in the
first row 46 of the tail portion 442. In addition, the contacts 512
are exposed from the base portion 211 and connected to the circuit
board 6. When the flat contact portions 351, 441 transmit signals,
the crosstalk interferences problems can be improved by separating
the flat contact portions 351 of the upper-row receptacle terminals
3 and the flat contact portions 441 of the lower-row receptacle
terminals 4 with the grounding sheet 51. Furthermore, the
structural strength of the tongue portion 212 can be improved by
arranging the grounding sheet 51 at the tongue portion 212. Here,
when the upper-row receptacle terminals 3 and the lower-row
receptacle terminals 4 are transmitting USB 3.0 signals (that is,
the flat contact portions 351, 441 transmit high-speed signals),
effective noise grounding and conduction can be accomplished by the
connection of the contacts 512 of the grounding sheet 51 and the
circuit board 6. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the grounding
sheet 51 further comprises two lateral sides 5110 which are
protruded out the lateral sides of the insulation housing 21.
FIG. 8A is a bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector 100
assembled with the circuit board 6, of the first embodiment, for
one implementation aspect. Please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG.
8A, in which embodiment the rear cover plate 12 of the metallic
shell 1 covers the back side of the receptacle cavity 10, so that
the exposed area of the metallic shell 1 can be reduced. In this
embodiment, four pins 121 of the rear cover plate 12 are distantly
arranged at the bottom plane 12a and are soldered on the circuit
board 6. When transmitting USB 3.0 signals, the flat contact
portions 351, 441 transmit signals with high speed, and the
electromagnetic waves are efficiently shielded by the rear cover
plate 12 and are efficiently conducted and grounded by the pins 121
of the rear cover plate 12 connected to the circuit board 6.
Furthermore, the pins 121 of the rear cover plate 12 can be
through-hole legs and soldered on the circuit board 6 to reduce the
grounding resistance and the electromagnetic interference
(EMI).
In addition, according to a result of electromagnetic-wave leak
distribution experiments, it can be understood that the
electromagnetic waves are efficiently shielded by the rear cover
plate 12, and the pins 121 are connected to the circuit board 6 for
noise grounded, so that a better retardation of EMI or RFI can be
accomplished. Furthermore, the pins 121 of the rear cover plate 12
strengthen the positioning force between the electrical receptacle
connector 100 and the circuit board 6. Therefore, the electrical
receptacle connector 100 provides better results in bending tests
and wrenching strength tests. That is, the pins 121 of the rear
cover plate 12 can be provided for the electrical receptacle
connector 100 to secure with the circuit board 6. Accordingly, when
the electrical receptacle connector 100 is connected to an
electrical plug connector with the electrical receptacle connector
100 being pulled unintentionally, gaps are not formed between the
rear cover plate 12 and the metallic shell 1, and the shielding
function of the metallic shell 1 can be provided efficiently for
the components inside the metallic shell 1.
FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector 100
assembled with the circuit board 6, of the first embodiment, for
another implementation aspect. Please refer to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8B,
in some implementation aspects, the second row 47 of the tail
portions 442 are disposed between the row of the tail portions 352
and the first row 46 of the tail portions 442. That is, the
positions of the first row 46 and the second row 47 of the tail
portions 442 are exchanged with each other to be the pin assignment
shown in FIG. 8B. It is understood that in the aforementioned two
configurations, each of the lower-row receptacle terminals 4
transmits a constant signal no matter where the terminal is located
at. That is, for example, for a signal terminal in the first row
46, it transmits a signal terminal, while when the pin-assignment
configuration is changed and the signal terminal is in the second
row 47, it remains transmitting the signal. Consequently, the
configuration of the tail portions 442 of the lower-row receptacle
terminals 4 can be altered to adapt to circuit boards 6 with
different layout configurations.
FIG. 9 is a back perspective view of an electrical receptacle
connector 100 according to a second embodiment of the instant
disclosure. FIG. 10 is a perspective schematic view showing the
configuration of the receptacle terminals 3, 4 of the electrical
receptacle connector 100 of the second embodiment. FIG. 11A is a
bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector 100 assembled
with the circuit board 6, of the second embodiment, for one
implementation aspect. Please refer to FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG.
11A, which illustrate an electrical receptacle connector 100
according to a second embodiment of the instant disclosure. The
structure of the second embodiment is approximately the same as
that of the first embodiment, except that in the second embodiment
the grounding sheet 51 of the electrical receptacle connector 100
is omitted. Here, the first row 46 of the tail portions 442
comprise a first pin 461, a second pin 462, a first set of pins
463, and a plurality of first reserved regions 464. The first set
of pins 463 is disposed between the first pin 461 and the second
pin 462. The first reserved regions 464 are respectively between
the first set of pins 463 and the first pin 461 and between the
first set of pins 463 and the second pin 462. That is, the contacts
512 of the grounding sheet 51 are omitted, so that the first row 46
of the tail portions 442 comprises the first reserved regions 464.
A width of each of the first reserved regions 464 is greater than
an interval between two adjacent tail portions 442. Here, the width
of the each of the first reserved regions 464 is greater than or
equal to two times of the interval between two adjacent tail
portions 442. Based on this, when the upper-row receptacle
terminals 3 and the lower-row receptacle terminals 4 are provided
for transmitting USB 2.0 signals, the grounding sheet 51 and the
contacts 512 of the grounding sheet 51 can be omitted to simplify
the manufacturing process of the electrical receptacle connector
100.
Here, effective noise grounding and conduction can be accomplished
by the pins 121 of the metallic shell 1 connected to the circuit
board 6. That is, in some implementation aspects, two pins 121 of
the metallic shell 1 are respectively at the two sides the bottom
plane 12a of the rear cover plate 12 to accomplish effective noise
grounding and conduction by the connection of the pins 121 of the
metallic shell 1 and the circuit board 6. Furthermore, when the
pins 121 of the rear cover plate 12 undergo bending test, a
possibility of signal disconnection is reduced.
Additionally, in this embodiment, the second row 47 of the tail
portions 442 comprises a second set of pins 471, a third set of
pins 472, and a second reserved region 473. The second reserved
region 473 is between the second set of pins 471 and the third set
of pins 472. That is, the second row 47 of the tail portions 442
comprises the second reserved region 47 without pins. A width of
the second reserved region 473 is greater than the interval between
each two adjacent tail portions 442. Here, the width of the second
reserved region 473 is greater than or equal to two times of the
interval between two adjacent tail portions 442.
FIG. 11B is a bottom view of the electrical receptacle connector
100 assembled with the circuit board 6, of the second embodiment,
for another implementation aspect. Please refer to FIG. 10 and FIG.
11B, the second row 47 of the tail portions 442 are disposed
between the row of the tail portions 352 and the first row 46 of
the tail portions 442. That is, the positions of the first row 46
and the second row 47 of the tail portions 442 are exchanged with
each other to be the pin assignment shown in FIG. 11B. It is
understood that, in the aforementioned two configurations, each of
the lower-row receptacle terminals 4 transmits a constant signal no
matter where the terminal is located at. Here, the grounding sheet
51 of the electrical receptacle connector 100 can be omitted, and
the first row 46 of the tail portions 442 comprises the first pin
461, the second pin 462, the first set of pins 463, and the first
reserved regions 464, as described above. The second row 47 of the
tail portions 442 comprises the second set of pins 471, the third
set of pins 472, and the second reserved region 473, as described
above. Based on this, when the upper-row receptacle terminals 3 and
lower-row receptacle terminals 4 are provided for transmitting USB
2.0 signals, the grounding sheet 51 and the contacts 512 of the
grounding sheet 51 can be omitted to simplify the manufacturing
process of the electrical receptacle connector 100.
According to the instant disclosure, when the contacts between the
tail portions of the lower-row receptacle terminals (namely, the
contacts of the grounding sheet), are omitted, the electrical
receptacle connector can transmit USB 2.0 signals without changing
or rearranging the configuration of the lower-row receptacle
terminals. Therefore, when the electrical receptacle connector is
provided for transmitting USB 2.0 signals, manufacturing steps for
the grounding sheet and the contacts of the grounding sheet can be
omitted so as to simplify the manufacturing process of the
electrical receptacle connector and reduce the manufacturing cost
of the electrical receptacle connector. Conversely, when the
electrical receptacle connector is provided for transmitting USB
3.0 signals, the grounding sheet and the contacts of the grounding
sheet are assembled to the electrical receptacle connector, so that
effective noise grounding and conduction can be accomplished by the
contacts of the grounding sheet connected to the circuit board.
Furthermore, the rear cover plate comprises the through-hole legs
to be soldered with the circuit board, so that the grounding
resistance and the electromagnetic interference can be reduced.
Furthermore, pin-assignments of the upper-row receptacle terminals
and the lower-row receptacle terminals are 180 degree symmetrical,
dual or double orientation design which enable an electrical plug
connector to be inserted into the electrical receptacle connector
in either of two intuitive orientations, i.e., in either upside-up
or upside-down directions. In other words, the pin-assignments of
the upper-row receptacle terminals and the lower-row receptacle
terminals have 180 degree symmetrical, dual or double orientation
design with respect to a central point of the receptacle cavity as
the symmetrical center. Consequently, an electrical plug connector
is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with a first
orientation where the upper surface of the tongue portion is facing
up, for transmitting first signals. Conversely, the electrical plug
connector is inserted into the electrical receptacle connector with
a second orientation where the upper surface of the tongue portion
is facing down, for transmitting second signals. Furthermore, the
specification for transmitting the first signals is conformed to
the specification for transmitting the second signals.
While the instant disclosure has been described by the way of
example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that the invention need not be limited to the disclosed
embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various
modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit
and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be
accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such
modifications and similar structures.
* * * * *